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Call for Media: CryoSat’s first map of changes in sea-ice thickness

CryoSat in orbit

18 April 2012

Media representatives are invited to attend the unveiling of the first map of the winter 2010–11 changes in Arctic sea-ice thickness measured by ESA’s ice mission. The event will take place on 24 April at the Royal Society in London.

Launched in April 2010, CryoSat’s main objective is to measure the thickness of polar sea-ice and monitor changes in the ice sheets that blanket Greenland and Antarctica.

In June 2011, the first map of Arctic sea-ice thickness was unveiled. Now, the complete 2010–11 winter season data have been processed to produce the first seasonal variation map of sea-ice thickness.

Arctic sea-ice thickness

Owing to the high rate of change in the Arctic Ocean, this has a special relevance for climate change research.

Other significant results from this collaborative European mission will be presented and discussed, with perspectives from UK industrial and scientific communities.

This event is being jointly organised by ESA and the UK Space Agency as part of the wider celebration of the 50th anniversary of the UK in space.